Missouri weighs optional licenses

Iowa is not the only state where questions are being raised about state job licensing. In Missouri, some Republican lawmakers are pushing for a law to make licensing for many occupations optional.

Rep. Nick Marshall's bill would allow cosmetologists, massage therapists, interior designers, embalmers, private investigators and people working in other occupations to work without a state license. An unlicensed worker could not hold himself out as licensed, according to the bill, but the worker would be free to practice his occupation without a license.

Marshall is working to downsize state government, said his assistant, Elizabeth Peters. "He's trying to keep government at bay and increase competition," she said. "The more you can keep government out of people's business, the better."

That message resonates with some conservatives, but a conversation on this issue should not be prompted only by Republicans and libertarians. Democrats should be participating, too. This is an issue where both parties can update laws and regulations that burden government and business.

The problem with licensing isn't necessarily "big government." Licensing in Iowa codifies an arrangement that gives a few industry insiders who sit on the licensing boards a lot of power to regulate those occupations. Iowa's 34 boards are largely made up of people inside those occupations who have the power of state law to further their agendas. Why aren't liberals squawking about that?

Lee McGrath of the libertarian Institute for Justice, which has studied the states' job licensing practices, met on Monday with various Iowa officials to discuss the burdens of state job licensing requirements.

"There are some very stylish haircuts in the audience," McGrath observed, making a dig at Iowa's requirement that barbers and cosmetologists must have 2,100 hours of training to qualify for a state license. There are also plenty of stylish 'dos in New York, which requires half as much training as Iowa.

Iowa is one of seven states requiring dental assistants to be licensed, McGrath said. "I do not hear a roar from 43 other states calling for licensing" of those workers.

The meeting was sponsored by the conservative Federalist Society. Among those attending was Brenna Findley, Gov. Terry Branstad's lawyer.

- Des Moines Register editorial board

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Missouri weighs optional licenses

Iowa is not the only state where questions are being raised about state job licensing. In Missouri, some Republican lawmakers are pushing for a law to make licensing for many occupations optional.